Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Erastus Ethekon said he accepted to lead the commission despite the intense pressure and scrutiny that comes with managing elections. Ethekon said he took the role because he believes Kenya has both the people and the institutions required to conduct peaceful, credible, and fair polls. “So, for me I said, if we can do it all over the world, why can’t we do it in our country?” Ethekon said. Ethekon said delivering credible electio
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Erastus Ethekon said he accepted to lead the commission despite the intense pressure and scrutiny that comes with managing elections.
Ethekon said he took the role because he believes Kenya has both the people and the institutions required to conduct peaceful, credible, and fair polls.
“So, for me I said, if we can do it all over the world, why can’t we do it in our country?” Ethekon said.
Ethekon said delivering credible elections cannot be left to the IEBC alone. He added that the commission’s independence does not mean it operates away from other institutions and stakeholders.
“Independence does not mean you are operating in an island somewhere; you are operating in a country which has different, diverse shareholders,” Ethekon said.
He said he accepted the IEBC chairmanship with the understanding that Kenyans and other institutions would support the commission.
“This is why, for me, since I took over, I took this job in the first place knowing that I will not be alone,” he said.
Ethekon also expressed confidence in Kenyans’ ability to help shape credible elections, describing them as resilient and bright.
“One thing I love about Kenyans, we are very resilient people, and we are very bright,” he said.
Ethekon said Kenyans have also participated in election, peace and conflict-management forums internationally, and that experience gave him confidence in taking on the demanding role at the electoral agency.
“I said I will go for the hot seat. I will take it because I believe we have what it takes; we have the people, we have institutions that will ensure we deliver a peaceful, credible, and fair election in our republic,” he said.
Ethekon added that the growing cooperation among stakeholders strengthened his belief that the teams involved in the election process are already working on plans for the 2027 polls.
Ethekon made the remarks during a national election security roundtable consultative forum convened by the electoral agency.
The meeting brought together key institutions that oversee elections and manage the flow of information. Representatives from the Media Council of Kenya, the Communications Authority of Kenya, and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties attended, among other stakeholders.
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